[Epidemiology of amputations: from medical causes to traumatic ones and at work].

The aim of our work is to describe the epidemiology of amputees. Through the causes, the treatment procedures and finally the social and economic impact that these complex patients determine in the health system. Although the epidemiological picture may be affected by some investigation limits, which mainly depend on the indicators used and on the scientific knowledge of the observation time, it remains an useful tool of knowledge both for clinicians and experts in health planning.